Cap



1962 l. s. BLANCHARD ETAL 3,063,056

CAP

Filed Feb. 8, 1960 INVENTORS 477DEA/EYS Unite States 1 art 3,063,056 Patented Nov. 13, 1962 mes es This invention relates to caps, and more particularly to caps worn while swimming to keep the hair dry.

A conventional swimming cap is made of rubber and shaped to fit snugly over the hair and around the head. Such caps have the disadvantage of permitting water to leak in around the edges of the cap so that the hair eventually becomes wet. Attempts to design the caps to make a watertight fit have not met with success because a cap that is sufiiciently tight is uncomfortable and difiicult to put on.

This invention provides a watertight swimming cap which is both comfortable and easy to put on.

Briefly, this invention contemplates a protective head covering which includes a water impermeable sheet adapted to fit around the head of the wearer. A relatively bulky .elongated strip of water absorbent material is disposed on the outside of the water impermeable sheet and adapted to make a snug fit around the head and bind the sheet to the head so a watertight fit is made by the sheet around the head. The strip is relatively soft and bulky so it can make a snug fit without being uncomfortable or unduly tight.

The strip can be of any suitable material, but preferably it is of a material such as chamois, velvet, sponge, cotton, sponge rubber, etc. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongated, bulky strip lies partly on the water impermeable sheet, and partly directly in contact with the head of the wearer. Any water which tends to seep under the water impermeable sheet first contacts the water absorbent strip, where it is absorbed and prevented from passing any farther toward the hair of the wearer. Since the other portion of the water absorbent strip is held away from direct contact with the hair or head of the wearer, the water is not transferred from the strip to the hair.

In the preferred form of the invention, the water impermeable sheet covers the entire top of the head of the wearer, and is slit from a point located near the crown to its lower front edge so the sheet can be spread apart to fit around the hair of the wearer without disturbing the arrangement of the hair. Preferably, means are also provided for securing the slit portion of the sheet together once the sheet is positioned around the head of the wearer.

The preferred form of the invention also includes a decorative cap to fit over the water impermeable sheet and water absorbent strip to provide an attractive finished appearance.

These and other aspects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the head covering under a decorative cap;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation, partially broken away, to show the sheet and strip mounted on the head of a swimmer;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view, partially broken away, of the head covering prior to putting on the head of the swimmer;

FIG. 4 is a view taken on line 4-4- of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing how the water impermeable sheet can be slit to accommodate elaborate hair arrangements.

Referring to the drawing, and FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 in particular, an inner cap or sheet 10 made of a water impermeable material, such as rubber or plastic, is shaped to fit around the head of a swimmer. The lower edge 11 of the inner cap terminates below the hairline entirely around the head of the wearer. A water absorbent strip 12 is attached by stitches 14 to the rear and lower edge of the outside of the inner cap. As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the water absorbent strip is relatively wide in its center portion, and tapers down to reduced width at each end. A separate tying strap 16 is attached to each end of the water absorbent strip, and the left end (as viewed in FIG. 3) of the strip is adapted to fit through a slot 18 formed in the right end of the strip so that the strip can be interwoven and tied around the head as shown in FIG. 2.

The upper edge 20 of the water absorbent strip is a substantial distance above the lower edge 11 of the inner cap, as shown most clearly in FIG. 4, and when the inner cap and strip are mounted as shown in FIG. 2, this c011 dition prevails around the periphery of the inner cap. Thus, the upper portion of the strip is in direct contact with the lower portion of the inner cap, which prevents direct contact of the upper edge of the water absorbent strip with the wearer. A lower border 24 of the Water absorbent strip extends a substantial distance below the lower edge of the inner cap, and makes a watertight fit around the head of the wearer. Since the water absorbent material is a relatively soft and bulky material, such as chamois, cotton, sponge, etc., it readily makes a snug watertight fit which is also comfortable.

The tying straps also permit the inner cap to be rather loose so it is easily fitted on the head of the wearer. Thereafter, the water absorbent strip is drawn snugly around the head and lower .edge of the inner cap to efiect a watertight seal. If desired, the water absorbent strip can be secured together as shown in FIG. 2 by elastic straps, and stretched to fit over the head, and then be released to make a tight but comfortable fit.

A decorative exterior cap 26, which may be of conventional type, may be worn around the protective head covering to present an attractive finished appearance. If desired, the exterior cap may be bonded to the inner cap at a central area 28 by vulcanizing or other suitable means. The exterior cap is pulled into the position shown in FIG. 1 after the inner cap and strip are secured as shown in FIG. 2.

The cap shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 has been tested under severe conditions, such as water skiing, and has provided protection for hours without permitting any water to reach the hair of the wearer. Apparently, the bulky strip makes a watertight seal around the head to prevent any free water from leaking in under the inner cap. Any water which tends to leak under the strip and inner cap is absorbed by the exposed lower portion of the bulky strip and flows by capillary action to the upper portion, which is separated from the head and hair by the lower edge of the water impermeable sheet or inner cap, which comes to below the hairline of the wearer, and thus prevents the transfer of any moisture from the bulky strip to the hair.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, an inner cap 29 includes a slit 30 which extends from its lower front edge to approximately the crown of the cap. Separate flaps 32 are formed integrally with the inner cap along its slit portion and are arranged to overlap as shown in FIG. 5 to form a watertight covering. The two flaps are secured as shown by snaps 34. The arrangement in FIG. 5 is useful for swimmers who have elaborate hair arrangements, and is used as follows. The snaps 34 are undone and slit 36* is opened by spreading the two flaps 32 apart. The inner cap is then fitted around and over the hair, and

finally the two flaps are folded as shown over the front portion of the head, and secured in place by the snap 34. This permits the inner cap to be fitted over the hair without disarranging it. The inner cap also holds the hair in place while the decorative cap is put on, thus facilitating the use of relatively tight-fitting decorative caps, which could not otherwise be worn without disturbing the hair arrangement.

We claim:

1. An adjustable protective head covering comprising an elongated water absorbent strip of sufficient length to fit around the head, adustable means for Securing the strip to make a smooth snug fit around heads of different sizes, the strip having a lower edge disposable below the hair line of the wearer, and an elongated water impermeable sheet disposable around the head between a portion of the strip and the head, the sheet having a lower edge disposable below the hair line to separate the hair of the wearer from the absorbent strip and prevent the transfer of moisture from the strip to the hair, the portion of the sheet underlying the strip being adjustable in length to make a smooth, snug fit against the head.

2. An adjustable protective head covering comprising an elongated water absorbent strip having free ends and being of sufficient length to fit around the head, adjustable means for securing the ends of the strip together to make a smooth snug fit of the strip around heads of different sizes, the strip having a lower edge disposable below the hair line of the wearer, and an elongated water impermeable sheet disposable around the head between a portion of the strip and the head, the sheet having a lower edge disposable below the hair line to separate the hair of the wearer from the absorbent strip and prevent the transfer of moisture from the strip to the hair, the portion of the sheet underlying the strip being adjustable in length to make a smooth snug fit against the head.

3. An adjustable protective head covering comprising an elongated water absorbent strip of sufiicient length to fit around the head, adjustable means for securing the strip to make a snug fit around heads of different sizes, the strip having a lower edge disposable below the hair line of the wearer, and an elongated water impermeable sheet disposable around the hairline of the head between a portion of the strip and the head, the sheet having a lower edge disposable below the hair line to separate the hair of the wearer from the absorbent strip and prevent the transfer of moisture from the strip to the hair, the portion of the sheet underlying the strip being adjustable in length to make a snug fit against the head.

4. An adjustable protective head covering comprising an elongated water absorbent strip of suthcient length to fit around the head, adjustable means for securing the strip to make a smooth snug fit around heads of difterent sizes, the strip having a lower edge disposable below the hair line of the wearer, an elongated water impermeable sheet disposable around the head between a portion of the strip and the head, the sheet having a lower edge disposable below the hair line to separate the hair of the wearer from the absorbent strip and prevent the transfer of moisture from the strip to the hair, the portion of the sheet underlying the strip being adjustable in length to make a smooth snug fit against the head, and a water impermeable outer cap disposed over the strip and sheet.

5. An adjustable protective head covering comprising an elongated water absorbent strip having separate free ends and being of sufficient length to fit around the head, the strip having a slot in one end, the other end of the strip being shaped to pass through the slot and provide for securing the ends of the strip together so the strip makes a smooth, snug fit around heads of difierent sizes, the strip having a lower edge disposable below the hair line of the wearer, and an elongated water impermeable sheet disposable around the head between a portion of the strip and the head, the sheet having a lower edge disposable below the hair line to separate the hair of the wearer from the absorbent strip and prevent the transfer or" moisture from the strip to the hair, the portion of the sheet underlying the strip being adjustable in length to make a smooth snug fit against the head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,153,687 Hellinga Sept. 14, 1915 1,516,380 Eaton Nov. 18, 1924 2,101,734 Chapple Dec. 7, 1937 2,465,998 Bowditch Apr. 5, 1949 2,929,071 Sterling et a1 Mar. 22, 1960 

